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“I’ve seen firsthand her work ethic, her intelligence and her integrity. She always puts Maine and the country first and isn’t afraid to cross party lines to get things done,” King is expect to say later Friday in prepared remarks. “I think she’s one of the Senate’s MVP’s — smart, tough and always willing to listen. In my book, she’s a model senator, and I’m delighted to support her reelection.”

Hours later, King then endorsed a Democrat over another moderate Republican, backing incumbent Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) over former Massachusetts GOP Sen. Scott Brown, who is running against Shaheen in New Hampshire.

Paul, a Kentucky conservative, backed Collins in April at a GOP event in Maine. Collins never drew a credible primary challenger in her reelection bid this year and is likely to face Democrat Shenna Bellows this fall, who’s running against Collins’ national security positions.

In an interview, Bellows said King reached out to her on Thursday night to inform her that he was backing Collins. Bellow said she “absolutely wouldn’t have turned down” King’s support but shrugged off any effect it might have on her races.

Mainers “are changing their minds, because they believe the country isn’t on the right track,” Bellow said. “A lot can happen between May and November.

King and Collins have worked closely on several issues since King replaced former Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) in 2013, notably announcing their joint support for the declassification of a CIA interrogation report in early April and banding together a group of Senate centrists that continues to meet.

But they aren’t in lockstep on everything: King has become a stronger backer of Obamacare than even some red-state Democrats, while Collins remains critical of the law.